Proposal Manager

Dagen Personnel; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Dagen Personnel has an opening for an experienced Proposal Manager in the United States, Houston area, overseeing the full lifecycle of proposals for complex engineering and construction projects. You will coordinate engineering specialists, Sales, Procurement, and regional stakeholders to deliver on-time, compliant, and competitive offers.

Responsibilities include de-risking, governance, and leading cross-functional teams to consolidate inputs and mitigate risks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management or Oil & Gas Engineering.
• 7+ years in a management role in chemical/oil & gas sector (end user, EPC, equipment supplier).
• Experience in field service or construction cost estimating.
• Proven experience in proposal or commercial roles.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle of proposal preparation with client governance and de-risking.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and consolidate technical, commercial, and execution inputs.
• Identify, quantify, and mitigate risks across the proposal cycle and define risk responses.
• Develop proposal outlines, compliance matrices, and baselines; track progress against schedule.
• Direct sub-vendor engagement, clarifications, and supplier analysis.
• Ensure smooth handover to execution teams after contract award.
• Drive continuous improvement, lessons learned, and benchmarking.
• Support procurement and ensure alignment with commercial strategy.

Skills

Verbal & written communication

Interpersonal skills

MS Office proficiency

Organizational skills

Independent working & relationship mgm

Education

Bachelors in Construction Mgmt or Oil & Gas Eng

Job description

Our client is seeking an experienced Proposal Manager to lead the full proposal lifecycle for complex engineering and construction projects.

Job Summary

The Proposal Manager ensures that each proposal is delivered on time, compliant, competitive, and consistent with the commercial strategy, by coordinating engineering specialists, Sales, Procurement, and regional stakeholders. The Proposal Manager consolidates validated data into a robust, competitive offer and ensures that all technical, commercial, and contractual risks are formally addressed to obtain internal approval before client submission.

Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle of proposal preparation, ensuring compliance with client specifications and client internal governance, including de-risking and Engagement Committee processes.
• They will ensure the development of any individuals that will directly or indirectly report to this role.
• Analyze client inquiries, define technical scope and battery limits, and direct appropriate review of specifications by relevant engineering specialists.
• Develop proposal outlines, compliance matrices, and planning baselines, while leading progress tracking against schedule and deliverables.
• Lead, coordinate, and direct cross functional proposal teams (engineering, sales, procurement, project, legal), ensuring alignment and timely consolidation of all technical, commercial, and execution inputs.
• Identify, quantify, and mitigate technical, commercial, contractual, and execution risks throughout the proposal cycle, providing clear direction on risk response strategies.
• Lead the assessment, planning, and development of resource requirements (internal and external) necessary to support proposal activities, ensuring optimal allocation and capability alignment.
• Provide proactive feedback and recommendations to management on resourcing needs, capacity constraints, and capability gaps during the proposal process.
• Work closely with Procurement to direct sub vendor engagement, including technical and commercial clarifications and selection analysis, ensuring adherence to the Procurement “One Voice to suppliers” principle.
• Supports sub vendor and subcontractor solicitation, negotiation, and selection processes.
• Ensure a structured, complete, and seamless handover to execution teams upon, or prior to, contract award.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including methods optimization, lessons learned integration, and market/competitor benchmarking.

Education

• Bachelors in Construction Management or Oil & Gas Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical or Thermal).

Work Experience

• Relevant industry background in Chemical or Oil & Gas sector (end user, EPC companies, equipment supplier)
• 7+ years of experience in a management role.
• Experience in field service or construction cost estimating
• Proven experience in proposal or commercial roles

Required SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Ability to work independently and build relationships